Contributions of Private Hostel Providers to Housing Needs of Imo State University Students, at Ugwuorji-Owerri Nigeria

Alaka I. N., Pat-Mbano E. C., Ewulum N. J.

Abstract

This paper aims at evaluating the ability of private hostel developers towards addressing the accommodation needs of Imo State University Students within the Ugwuorji layout, the closest and largest neighbourhood to the University. A hostel enumeration survey was conducted within the neighbourhood to collect data on the number of hostels within the market, as at February 2010. A nonreplacement cluster sampling approach was adopted in sampling data from 117 hostel properties operating within the market. Data collected include room occupancy ratio, available hostel facilities, security system, maintenance and ranges of hostel rents charged in these hostels. The researchers find that the private hostel investors within the neighbourhood market currently contribute 25 percent of the accommodation provision for the Imo State University, IMSU students at a room occupancy ratio of two to a room, within the layout. None of the hostels met up to 50% of the facility criteria of standard hostels of this contemporary era, including security of students’ lives and properties. Except for very few providers that have in-house managers, the rest are poorly managed and maintained. Majority of the hostel rooms command rents of N80,000.00 to N100,000.00 per annum, despite the lack of the necessary facilities and services. The researchers conclude that although private hostel providers have contributed immensely to students accommodation needs, low satisfaction is derived by the benefi ciaries for lack of these facilities in relation to the non-commensurable rents these hostel rooms command.